- Primary Subject: James Gunn & Peter Safran (DC Studios / Warner Bros. Discovery)
- Key Update: Paramount Skydance intends to maintain current Warner Bros. leadership, keeping James Gunn and Peter Safran as DC Studios co-CEOs despite pending merger delays and recent box office hiccups.
- Status: Confirmed (Studio intent and merger hold)
- Last Verified: August 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: James Gunn is expected to stay co-CEO of DC Studios as Paramount plans to keep Warner Bros. leadership intact if their merger proceeds.
Paramount Skydance has acquired Warner Bros. Discovery, with the deal including key IPs such as the DC franchise. As the merger could bring leadership changes, questions remain about whether James Gunn will stay as DC Studios’ head alongside Peter Safran.
With the franchise also hitting a rough patch following Supergirl’s disappointing box-office performance, could the merger lead to changes at DC Studios?
Will James Gunn Be Replaced as DC Studios Co-CEO?
Paramount has acquired Warner Bros. for $110 billion, but the deal has yet to be finalized due to opposition from 12 US state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who are challenging it on antitrust grounds.
If the acquisition is eventually finalized, many believe James Gunn and Peter Safran could be replaced as part of a leadership shake-up. Thankfully, according to The Wrap, that may not happen.
Paramount will allegedly keep things as they are even after the acquisition is completed. If true, this means Gunn and Safran will remain DC Studios’ co-CEOs alongside the other Warner Bros. executives.
Rumors have it that the duo’s positions could be in jeopardy following Supergirl’s lackluster box-office results, especially with their contracts reportedly set to expire this year or next.
However, if Paramount intends to keep them in place, fans can rest assured that the DC Universe will continue according to the plans Gunn and Safran have laid out.
By the looks of it, Paramount is opting for a smooth transition by keeping Warner Bros.’ existing leadership structure intact, including at DC Studios.
Why Is the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger on Hold?
While a deal has been reached, Paramount and Warner Bros. have agreed to put their merger on hold until June 2027 while a judge weighs in on the legal challenges surrounding the transaction.
The 12 US states and the WGA’s lawsuit argue that the deal could hurt competition in Hollywood by allowing two media giants to combine their power, giving the resulting company excessive control over the market, eroding newsroom independence, and potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.
On the other hand, Paramount and Warner Bros. argue that their combined operations would be better positioned to compete with digital streaming giants and major tech conglomerates.
In fact, Paramount described the merger as a “significant win,” providing a “direct path to a trial based on the evidence.” It also sees the trial as the “fastest” way to prove that the deal is “good” for competition, consumers, and creators.
However, state officials and Hollywood groups strongly oppose the merger, arguing that combining two major studios would give one company too much control over the industry.
They fear the deal could weaken the bargaining power of writers and crews, reduce production opportunities, and limit viewers’ choices.
WGA head Tom Fontana also contends that the merger could suppress wages and reduce opportunities for up-and-coming writers.
“It remains our view that this merger is unlawful, and we will continue the fight to block it,” the Block the Merger Coalition said in a statement (via BBC).
In any case, until a final verdict is reached – in June 2027, at the latest – Paramount and Warner Bros. will remain separate companies.
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